This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Over the years, the plants at the world-famous Jungle Cruise have grown so lush and tall that the illusion of venturing into a dense rain forest is pretty convincing. In this first photo from 1959, the jungle has not quite reached that point!

The skipper told people to take one last look at civilization, and that boy is following instructions. What if he misses school? Who will feed his turtle? In only he had a real switchblade on him, instead of a switchblade comb. Nice knowing you, kid.

That third photo is of the Nautilus, hull number 301, on its maiden voyage. The subs were completed before the rest of the attraction was ready, so the plan was to test each one on the Jungle Cruise waterway prior to being moved to the lagoon in Tomorrowland.

The initial concept was for the subs to completely submerge (as shown in this photo), but difficulties with resurfacing scuttled that plan. After modifications removing the ballast tanks, the Nautilus was tested again three weeks later, with number 302, the Seawolf, ready to be launched and tested immediately afterwards.

Ultimately, difficulties with negotiating the tight turns in the Jungle Cruise coupled with an unfortunate overreaction by the operating CM in the hippo pool led to the discontinuation of further testing on the Jungle Cruise as well as the removal of both the forward and aft torpedo rooms.

I love photos of the jungle cruise before the jungle really took hold, back when you could actually see the sky. I think it took more effort from the skippers to convince their guests they really were traveling down the congo and the mekong.